Development Perspectives for Minority Languages in Estonian Separated Language Environments

Abstract

According to the database of the population census from the year 2000 (Eesti … 2000), there are representatives of 142 ethnic groups living in Estonia, speaking a total of 109 native languages. At the same time, the database does not state which languages are spoken at home. The material presented in this article belongs to the research topic "Home Language of Basic School Students in Tallinn" from years 2007-2008. The goal of this project in Estonia was to determine what languages are spoken by students from the 2nd to the 5th year of basic school at their home in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. At the same time, this problem was also studied in other segregated regions of Estonia: Kohtla-Järve and Maardu. It was determined what language is dominating in everyday use, what are the factors for choosing the language for communication, what are the preferred languages and language skills. This study reflects the actual trends of the language situation in these cities.

The Process of Adapting Children to the New Linguistic and Cultural Environment

“…The school has several roles in that. Besides its academic functions, the school is also an instrument of socialisation, establishing the prerequisites for fitting into the society (Küün, 2011). For most foreign children and young people, the school and other educational institutions are the main place where acculturation and communication between groups take place (Vedder & Horenczyk, 2006).…”